A HARRY POTTER MONTH - Or, A Long Swim in Obsession
Jamieson Villeneuve
July 16, 2009
I have been having what could only be called a Harry Potter month. There are a few reasons for this.
Chiefly among them, there is a new Harry Potter movie out now. If you havenīt heard about that in the past month, I donīt know where youīre getting your news from. But suffice it to say, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is now in theatres.
It has been two years since the last movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Now most purists in the Harry Potter fandom think that, though the movies are good, they just donīt compare to the books written by J. K. Rowling.
However, there are a lot of us (like yours truly) who just love the movies for what they are: the Harry Potter world and stories we love, just told in a slightly (and far more visual) way.
I have been watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on DVD to prepare myself before I see the second movie. But to get to that point, Iīve read the first six books in the series.
Rather than watch the movies (Order of the Phoenix and Prizoner of Azkaban being my favourites), I wanted to read the story that had inspired the visuals. Because though the series has seven books, Harry Potter is essentially one whole, complete story, told in epic scale.
It has been a delight working my way through the books, discovering clues that I hadnīt seen before, reading favourite scenes. While Iīve read the Harry Potter books more than any other book I own (seriously, Iīve lost count), I havenīt read them in a while.
After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out in July of 2007, I read the book seven times and then set it on my shelf. Though I promised myself I wouldnīt morn the passing of the series, I did. Though some think the Harry Potter books just ink and words on paper, the ending affected me greatly.
Through the darkness came one lovely beam of light: in 2008, J. K. Rowling released The Tales of Beedle the Bard. A book from the world of Harry Potter, it provided a crucial clue to the resolutions of the series.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard gave me a brief respite since the ending of the Harry Potter series. And, though I was satisfied but saddened by the ending, I was able to let the mourning end.
So, needing a respite from the horrible summer weather weīve been having (am I the only one upset that itīs mid July and itīs only 17 degrees outside my window) I have been reading the series again. I wanted to read the books again and reacquaint myself with the story (both in written and visual formats) before I see the new movie.
Normally I donīt indulge in my Harry Potter obsession so completely Iīve been reading the books, following the news on Harry Potter web sites and waiting with breathless anticipation for the new editions of Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (sales of both to benefit Comic Relief) to be released in August.
Iīve been checking J. K. Rowlingīs web site for updates, reading author alerts in my email and waiting with exuberant glee to get the soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Friday and see the movie on Saturday.
Iīve been helping to promote the What Would Dumbledore Do Twitter Take Over and listening to Wizard Rock (Harry and the Potters being my favourite).
Oh, and Iīm also waiting for a lovely pink T Shirt with WE ARE WIZARDS that I ordered. The documentary called WE ARE WIZARDS is one of only a handful that Iīve sat through and itīs just a beautiful and satisfying look at the Harry Potter Fandom that has sprout up around the books.
Iīm now taking a break from the series of books though. I finished reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince last night. Knowing what is coming, and what is still to come, I wanted to be held in suspense for a bit before I read the last book again. Iīll need the book to make me feel better after the end of the sixth movie (those of you who have read the book know what Iīm talking about here).
For now I am reading the incredible Harry, A History by the lovely Melissa Anelli, a fabulous non-fiction account of the Harry Potter Fandom and how her life, too, was touched by Harry Potter.
Thankfully, my Husband doesnīt seem to mind. Heīs handled my Harry Potter obsession with what can only be called grace and aplomb (though he also loves the movies, so you know, so heīs just as excited as I am).
Suffice it to say, Iīve indulged heavily. Iīve taken a long swim, a soothing dip, into words and a story that bring me joy.
And I wouldnīt have it any other way.
Chiefly among them, there is a new Harry Potter movie out now. If you havenīt heard about that in the past month, I donīt know where youīre getting your news from. But suffice it to say, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is now in theatres.
It has been two years since the last movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Now most purists in the Harry Potter fandom think that, though the movies are good, they just donīt compare to the books written by J. K. Rowling.
However, there are a lot of us (like yours truly) who just love the movies for what they are: the Harry Potter world and stories we love, just told in a slightly (and far more visual) way.
I have been watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on DVD to prepare myself before I see the second movie. But to get to that point, Iīve read the first six books in the series.
Rather than watch the movies (Order of the Phoenix and Prizoner of Azkaban being my favourites), I wanted to read the story that had inspired the visuals. Because though the series has seven books, Harry Potter is essentially one whole, complete story, told in epic scale.
It has been a delight working my way through the books, discovering clues that I hadnīt seen before, reading favourite scenes. While Iīve read the Harry Potter books more than any other book I own (seriously, Iīve lost count), I havenīt read them in a while.
After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out in July of 2007, I read the book seven times and then set it on my shelf. Though I promised myself I wouldnīt morn the passing of the series, I did. Though some think the Harry Potter books just ink and words on paper, the ending affected me greatly.
Through the darkness came one lovely beam of light: in 2008, J. K. Rowling released The Tales of Beedle the Bard. A book from the world of Harry Potter, it provided a crucial clue to the resolutions of the series.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard gave me a brief respite since the ending of the Harry Potter series. And, though I was satisfied but saddened by the ending, I was able to let the mourning end.
So, needing a respite from the horrible summer weather weīve been having (am I the only one upset that itīs mid July and itīs only 17 degrees outside my window) I have been reading the series again. I wanted to read the books again and reacquaint myself with the story (both in written and visual formats) before I see the new movie.
Normally I donīt indulge in my Harry Potter obsession so completely Iīve been reading the books, following the news on Harry Potter web sites and waiting with breathless anticipation for the new editions of Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (sales of both to benefit Comic Relief) to be released in August.
Iīve been checking J. K. Rowlingīs web site for updates, reading author alerts in my email and waiting with exuberant glee to get the soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Friday and see the movie on Saturday.
Iīve been helping to promote the What Would Dumbledore Do Twitter Take Over and listening to Wizard Rock (Harry and the Potters being my favourite).
Oh, and Iīm also waiting for a lovely pink T Shirt with WE ARE WIZARDS that I ordered. The documentary called WE ARE WIZARDS is one of only a handful that Iīve sat through and itīs just a beautiful and satisfying look at the Harry Potter Fandom that has sprout up around the books.
Iīm now taking a break from the series of books though. I finished reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince last night. Knowing what is coming, and what is still to come, I wanted to be held in suspense for a bit before I read the last book again. Iīll need the book to make me feel better after the end of the sixth movie (those of you who have read the book know what Iīm talking about here).
For now I am reading the incredible Harry, A History by the lovely Melissa Anelli, a fabulous non-fiction account of the Harry Potter Fandom and how her life, too, was touched by Harry Potter.
Thankfully, my Husband doesnīt seem to mind. Heīs handled my Harry Potter obsession with what can only be called grace and aplomb (though he also loves the movies, so you know, so heīs just as excited as I am).
Suffice it to say, Iīve indulged heavily. Iīve taken a long swim, a soothing dip, into words and a story that bring me joy.
And I wouldnīt have it any other way.
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